The 2014 National Drug Control Strategy released Friday by the White House recognized Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings' Vivitrol program.

“In much more than a passing reference, the 93-page document cites the Justice Department's embrace of Residential Substance Abuse Treatment programs, the sheriff's in particular,” Special Sheriff Jeff Perry said in a news release.

“In Barnstable County, Massachusetts, the sheriff, with support from community health officials, has started using Vivitrol – a medication for the treatment of opioid use disorders – to assist individuals (inmates) in their return to the community,” the Office of National Drug Control Policy's plan says.

Vivitrol is a non-mood-altering, nonaddictive drug that has no street value and no withdrawal symptoms. It prevents the patient from getting high from opiates and alcohol.

Nine other Massachusetts sheriffs and state corrections officials have since adopted the Barnstable County model, according to Perry. So have sheriffs in New York, Ohio, Missouri and Maine.